General Orders 1946 - Fort Benning

Sergeant John 8. YcKinney (Army serial Xo. 34574112), (then private flrst
class), foright with extreme gallantry on 11 May 1945 in Tnjabas Province,
Lnzon, Phili[,pine Islnnds, to defend the outpost which Cnmpany A, 123d Infantry
Regimcnt, Army of the United States, had established near Dillpalan Bay. Just
before dasbreak, approximately 100 Japanese stealtllily attadzed the perimeter
defense; concentrating on a light machine-gun position manned by three Americans.
Having completed a long tour of duty at this gun, Private BfcEinney
Fa8 resting a few paces away when an enemy soldier dealt him a glancing blow
on the head wilh a snher. Although dazed b~ the stroke, he seized his rifle,
bludgeoned his attacker, and then shot another. assailam who was charging
him. Meanwhile, one of his comrades at tlw maehine guu had been wounded and
his other cumpallion withdrew carrying the injured man to safety. Alone,
Prirate HcEinnry was confronted by I0 infantrymen who had cnplured the
machine gun with the wident intent of rerersing it to fire into the perirneler.
Leaping iuto the erniilncement, he shot scren of them at point-blank mwe and
killed three more with his rifle butt. In the melee. the machine guu was
rendered inoperative leaving him only his rifle with which to meet the adrancing
Japanese who hurled grenades and directed knee mortar shells iuto the
perimetcr. He warily changed position, secured more ammunition, and, re
loading repeatedly, cut down mares of the fanatical enemy with devastating
fire or clubbcd them to death in hand~to-hand combat. Whcn assistnucc arrived,
he had thwarted the assault and was in complete control of the area. Tbirtyeight
dead Japanese around the machine gun and two more at the side of a
mortar, 45 yards distant, was the amanng toll he had exaeted single~handedly.
By his indomitable spirit, extraordinary fighting ability, and unwavering cournge
in the face of tremendous odds, Prirate NcKinney sav& his company from
possible annihilalion and set an Example of unsurpassed intrepidity.
IU..DISTINCUISHED-SERVICE MEDAL,By direction of the PresiGent,
under the provisions of the act of Congress approved 0 July 1918 (WD Bul. 43,
1915), the Distinguislled-Service Medal for exceptionally melltorious and distinguished
services in the performance of duties of great responsibility during
the periods indicated was awarded by the War Department to the foilowingnamed
otticers
Colonel George R. Barker, 04972, General Staff Corps, Unltcd States Army,
November 1944 to April 1945. (This award supersedes the award
of the Bronze Star Medal (Oak-Leaf Cluster) to Colonel Barker.
for services from 16 January to 28 February 1945, as publ~slled in
General Orders 12, Headquarters XTTI Corps. 15 Mnrch 1946.)
Brigadier General William A. Collier, 07598, united Stares Army. Scp
tember 1912 to February 1944 and November i944 to May 1915. (This
an.ard supersedes the award of the second Bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster
to the Bronze Star Ncdnl to Erigadier General Collier, for services
from 23 Kovcmber 1844 to 8 May 1945, as published in General
Orders 95, Headquarters XX Corps, 13 June 1946.)
Maor General William P. Dean, 015433, United States Army. 11 January
to 6 NIny 1945. (This award sunersedes the award of the Bronze
Star Nedal to Major Ucan, for services from 18 April to 5 May 1946,
as published in General Orders 31, Headquarters VI Corps, B Nay
1945.)
Colonel Da&d B. Ralk, 03568, Infant-, United States Army. July 1942
to June 1946. (So much of sec. 111, WD General Orders 101,1045, us
AGO 3011B